FAO to lead UN-wide preparations for Expo 2015

Creating sustainable and secure food systems will be high on the agenda for Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy, said Eduardo Rojas-Briales, FAO Assistant Director-General for Forestry, who has been named Commissioner-General for the United Nations' preparations for the event.

The theme of Expo 2015 will be 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life'. Participants are expected to focus on issues like food security, women and nutrition, sustainable development, and climate change, which tie directly into the work done by FAO and other UN system agencies.

Rojas said the "challenge for Expo 2015 is to provoke thought and inspire action, as part of an ongoing process to create sustainable and secure food systems".

He said "The UN will work with its partners and the Expo 2015 host country, Italy, to share what we've learned in our efforts to improve lives", adding that they "hope to help governments, organizations, companies and families make more conscious and consistent decisions on food security, nutrition, sustainable development and other issues that are critical to our planet".

FAO, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Bioversity International, will lead the effort to showcase the activities and best practices of the United Nations in fields related to the themes of the Expo.